The 802 Ed
What's going on in Vermont's education policy and practice
Welcome back!
This issue of the 802 Ed covers many topics that are immediately useful like a historical review of the governor’s education plan, an update on the legislature’s reaction to possibly eliminating universal school meals, and the latest on the job market for counselors in schools. Be sure to check out the education op-eds from state leaders!
New to the lingo? At the suggestion of a reader we include a guide to common abbreviations, just scroll down past the news.
- Steven Berbeco, Editor
School Leadership
Oops. School Administrator highlights a dozen common mistakes that superintendents make when working with their boards, and how to avoid these pitfalls.
Deja Vu All Over Again. The governor’s education plan for Vermont, “very provocative” in the view of at least one committee chair, may not be all that new after all.
The Chester Telegraph lays out the governor’s education plan from 2019 and compares it to the current proposal, as well as suggesting what may be coming up next.
Seven Days VT takes a wider perspective on Vermont’s education reform through the years, going as far back to around the time of the Civil War.
The VPO wryly predicts this plan will “vanish slowly into the Great Lost Swamp of ill-begotten ideas.”
Listen, Learn, Consolidate. Seven Days VT gives a thorough run-down of the governor’s plan, including reactions from legislators who can’t see how schools will get more out of spending significantly less: “I just can't fathom where the actual cost savings is coming from.” This was a popular item in last issue, so here it is again for readers who may have missed it.
Handing Around The Mic. The number of op-eds on education has shot up in the past couple of weeks, including:
House Speaker Jill Krowinski sent out a bridge-building message: “Success cannot be achieved in silos.”
Former Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman called out the governor: “Voters did not ask for their local schools to be closed.”
Former superintendent John Castle warned of coming disaster: “The playbook is clear: Discredit, defund, dismantle.”
Die, Dyes! The Winooski News highlights H.26, a Senate bill modeled after California legislation that would prohibit school lunches from containing Red 40, Blue 1, and Yellow 5.
Sanctuary Schools. VT Digger hands the pen to the state’s Teacher of the Year, who advocates for passing a sanctuary school policy: “Of course we need this. Kids cannot learn if they are scared.” Update: The policy passed unanimously: “The need is now.”
Making Quick Change. Education reform usually happens in fits and starts, but more recently it may feel like sudden waves of change.
The New York Times features an opinion piece that argues the presidential administration wants to “punish universities however possible … It’s not based on any kind of coherent policy agenda. It’s just a desire to inflict pain.” Gift link
The Hechinger Report focuses on the damage that is predicted to fall out from the dismantling of the Institute of Education Sciences, a “relatively small, wonky corner of the Department of Education.”
More locally, Seven Days VT highlights the governor’s proposal to move educational rule-making from the State Board of Education to the Agency of Education, which may be “simply a practical consideration” or possibly a significant “move away from a constitutionally protected and democratic process of checks and balances.”
Glossing Up The Resume. Higher Ed Jobs offers practical advice on adjusting a resume for those aiming for a move from teaching to administration, with pointers applicable also to the K-12 job market.
Connecting with The Boys. Education Week highlights ways for teachers to build strong, supportive relationships with boys in their classes.
Good-Bye, Free Lunch? WCAX reports on the governor’s proposal to eliminate the state’s $18 million universal free school meals program as a way to reduce taxes. Update: “How is this program even up for debate?”
Pictures Packing Heat. VT Digger follows the story of a school district struggling with the decision to allow a student’s senior photo with an “AR style rifle.”
PCBs, The Forever News Item. Valley News zooms into yet another Vermont school district that is struggling with remediation after elevated rates of polychlorinated biphenyls were discovered through mandated testing.
“Moot.” VT Digger reports on the Vermont Supreme Court’s decision to dismiss a case filed by legislators alleging that the governor should not have appointed the Secretary of Education after the Senate voted down the selection.
Beating the NAEP. Education Week points out that Atlanta is the only big-city district to show improvement in its fourth grade literacy skills, and the district’s leadership tips its hand to reveal the secret behind this success.
Heads Up, Vermont. States are taking innovative steps to support their students and Vermont school leaders and lawmakers should take note:
Legislators in Virginia are considering bills that would change schools’ reporting requirements when students overdose.
Minnesota schools may soon establish even stricter limitations on student cell phone use in school.
Families in New Hampshire are using school choice funding for ski instruction, karate lessons, Bible study, and “Learning Without Tears,” with about a million dollars going to purchases on Amazon.
School Shootings in 2025. Education Week’s tracker has logged two school shootings in 2025: “On Feb. 1, a man was shot and injured during a band competition at Pasadena Memorial High School in Pasadena, Texas.” Total school shootings in 2024: 39. As a reminder, DPS and AOE operate an anonymous school safety tip line for students, school staff, and their community: calling 1-844-SAFE4VT; texting SAFE4VT to 274637; or online at safe4vt.org. For questions about school safety training in Vermont, contact Rob Evans.
Reader Survey
In each issue we ask a survey question to get a sense of what is on our readers’ minds. Then, the following issue, we report back on what we learned.
Last issue we asked: How many school districts should Vermont have? Responses were equally strong for As many supervisory unions and districts as we have now and Five districts sounds like a good idea, with about half as many readers selecting One district for the state would be the best.
This issue’s survey question: Should the state rather than local school boards determine graduation requirements? Please indicate your response by clicking a check mark.
✅ The state should take on this responsibility
✅ Lets keep this local to school boards
✅ Why have graduation requirements at all?
Thank you to the reader from Montpelier who suggested that survey question. What’s on your mind? Suggest a survey question to find out how your colleagues respond in an upcoming issue of the 802 Ed!
Listen Up
Check out the 802 Ed’s conversation-style podcast! Generated by Notebook LM
Job Listings
Superintendent. Come lead an extraordinary team of committed educators in the Barre Unified Union School District! Strong applicants will demonstrate leadership skills that focus on student learning, excellent community engagement, and outstanding fiscal and operational management. Applications due March 5. Sponsored by NESDEC
Supercharge The Applicant Pool. The market for school staff in Vermont is fierce and it’s important to stand out when attracting quality candidates. Why get wedged in among thousands of open positions on SchoolSpring? Your opportunity can stand out in an upcoming issue of the 802 Ed, dropping into the Inbox of thousands of readers. Sponsored by 802 Ed
School Leader Vacancies. Latest report from VPA counts 36 school leader positions, like principal and assistant principal, that are turning over for next school year.
The Big List. Josh Czupryk compiles and publishes a monthly spreadsheet with more than 500 job opportunities for remote work in K-12 education.
Looking for a Change? With so many open positions in Vermont, there are sometimes unusual opportunities. For example, the Cannabis Control Board, “a small agency with a big mission,” is looking for a quality control director for its testing laboratory.
Thank The Team
You read it, you love it, and now is a good time to say thanks. Cover our coffee budget! Writing, editing, researching… all of that is caffeine driven. Choose this option and the extra energy will go to finding a few more updates to share.
Note from The Editor
My sister, the oldest one, has always been a good deal more clever than me. She earned a doctorate first, discovered onigiri while I was still puzzling over sashimi, and left the piles of New England snow for balmy Northern California sunshine.
These days she keeps half an eye on the local real estate market, where million dollar bungalows regularly go for well over asking price.
“This one is a fixer upper,” she said last week. “It starts with: The property is a great location, this is the only positive.”
Well, Vermont education hasn’t been “full of water for... decades?” but it does feel like it’s not in a seller’s market. Standardized test scores aren’t glowing, schools are testing positive for carcinogens, and the property taxes keep going up.
The house of Vermont education is ready to attract some attention. But the offers so far feel less formal and more like they are arrived at on the back of an envelope. As one legislator said, “It’s really hard for a legislator or a committee to react to something that doesn’t have the bill language.”
Meantime, the utilities keeping going up. Health insurance costs for school staff are increasing by about 12%, which leads to staff cuts and, presumably, worse support for student learning.
It remains to be seen how this market will play out. Vermont doesn’t need to be torn down like that Berkeley property, but it’s going to take more than a new coat of paint to turn this state’s education system around.
Eye on Data
The chart below tracks the number of open positions for counseling staff in Vermont in the past 60 days, presented as data points and a linear trend line. Data from SchoolSpring.
Pass It On
Like what you are reading? Hit the button below to send a copy to a colleague, friend, neighbor, your boss… whoever!
Colleagues on the Move
Congratulations to these colleagues who received administrator licensure from AOE since the last issue of the 802 Ed! Data from AOE.
Cheryl Gonzalez • Superintendent, Principal
John Muldoon • Superintendent, Principal
Casey Banner • Principal
Alex Borsari • Principal
Chris Lanzalotto • Principal
Holly Vance • Principal
Emma Vastola • Principal
Do you know a colleague who has made a recent move? Let us know!
Grants & Opportunities
Who Made That? Clemmons Family Farm is offering no-cost integrated curricula with Black History Month lesson plans, for grades K-12.
Building a Game Game. The State of Vermont recently issue an RFP to develop a hunter education course. Deadline is February 25.
Justice in Early Ed. Vermont’s Office of Racial Equity is offering a webinar presentation on connections between racial justice and early childhood education. 2 - 3:30pm, February 26.
Youth Council. FEMA announced that applications are open for the national Youth Preparedness Council, which brings together young leaders in grades 8 to 11 who are passionate about disaster preparedness and community resilience. Deadline is March 3.
Los Mejores Maestros. VOCALE is accepting nominations for the annual Distinguished Teacher award. Deadline is March 5.
Millions for Distance Learning. The USDA recently announced a $40 million grant program to support the purchase of audio and video equipment so students can participate in classes virtually. Deadline is March 6.
Safety Training. AOE recently posted an RFP for expansion of school behavioral threat training. Deadline is March 17.
Supporting Protective Factors. Vermont Afterschool is offering in-person Thrive training, a strengths-based approach for supporting youth ages 9 to 24. 10 am - 4 pm, March 11 and March 18.
Superintendent of The Year. VSA has opened nominations for extraordinary education leaders. Deadline is March 14.
Parent Survey. AOE has published an RFP to conduct a parent involvement survey in response to federal reporting requirements for special education. Deadline is March 18.
Checkmate. The State Scholastic Chess Championships is open to students in grades K-12. Saturday, March 29 at Lamoille Union High School. Registration closes March 23.
If You Missed It
Whizzing Stones, Winning Brooms. Congratulations to Vermont State University’s curling club, who won silver in the regional championships – take that, Harvard! Yes, merch is available.
National Nurse. Congratulations to Allison Conyers at Brookside Primary School for being honored with the Nationally Certified School Nurse Recognition Award.
Typing Vs. Hand Writing. Check out the difference between taking notes on a computer instead of writing them out by hand as reported by Norwegians, then rebutted by Spanish and French, and the “many confounding variables” getting in the way of figuring out which is better.
Since 2021 the biweekly 802 Ed has brought together the latest from Vermont's associations for principals, superintendents, and school board members, as well as state and national education agencies. We hope that you'll find something useful in each issue and welcome comments or suggestions for upcoming issues: editor@802ed.com.
Abbreviation list: AASA School Superintendents Association, ADM Average Daily Membership, AHS Agency of Human Services, AOE Agency of Education, CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDD Child Development Division, CVTSE Coalition for Vermont Student Equity, DAIL Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living, DCF Department for Children and Families, DMH Department of Mental Health, DPS Department of Public Safety, ED U.S. Department of Education, FERPA Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act, NAEP National Assessment of Education Progress, NAEYC National Association for the Education of Young Children, NEASC New England Association of Schools and Colleges, NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, PBIS Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, RFP Request for Proposals, SBE State Board of Education, SEL Social Emotional Learning, VEHI Vermont Education Health Initiative, VOCALE Vermont Organization of Classics and Language Educators, VPA Vermont Principals Association, VPO Vermont Political Observer, VREC Vermont Rural Education Collaborative, VSA Vermont Superintendents Association, VSBA Vermont School Board Association, VSBIT Vermont School Boards Insurance Trust, VSBPE Vermont Standards Board for Professional Educators, VTCLA Vermont Curriculum Leaders Association, VTSU Vermont State University.
Special bonus for making it to the bottom: Percentage of people in America who report feeling Sunday scaries: 45%. Average onset: 3:54 pm.